Do you start your day overwhelmed in a crazy rush to get out the door or login into work? Or do you start your workday feeling ready for the day? Getting your day off to a good start is the best way to ensure you have a good day. Whether you realize it or not, you have a morning routine. But is your morning routine as good as it could be?
If you are starting your days overwhelmed, you can change that. Here are ways to improve your morning routine and have better days:
1. Wake up early. Waking up early can give you a sense of control and avoids the feelings of anxiety you can have when time is an issue. This may mean changing your bedtime routine and going to bed early. Giving yourself an extra thirty minutes in the morning can give you extra time to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or a healthy breakfast. Start small. Try waking up 5 minutes earlier each day for the next 6 days to get to a full 30 minutes of extra morning time.
2. Micro-Meditate. Just 10 minutes is enough for a short meditation session. Just breathe and pay attention to your breath. As your mind wanders, simply bring it back to your breath. You’ll be surprised by how calming this can be.
3. Drink a large glass of water. After 7+ hours of sleeping you get dehydrated. Begin your day with a large glass of water before doing anything else. In fact, anytime you’re feeling sluggish throughout the day, a glass of water will frequently help. Keep a bottle of water at your desk and take it with you through the day.
4. Get 5 minutes of exercise. Five minutes might not seem like much, but it’s enough time to get your heart pumping and become more alert. Walk up and down the stairs a few times or march in place. If you have a treadmill, use it. You’re just trying to move and warm your body.
5. Use affirmations. While in the shower, repeat positive affirmations to yourself. The particular affirmations you use are entirely up to you. Consider using positive affirmations that are likely to enhance your mood or support your goals. Instead of worrying about work, why not use the time to make yourself feel better? Here are a few suggestions:
- I’m having a great day.
- I enjoy my job and my life.
- I am ready to tackle work with a smile.
- I weigh 135 pounds.
6. Eat a healthy breakfast. A good breakfast will keep your energy up and fuel your day. And a healthy morning meal often leads to a healthy lunch. Try different types of breakfast foods and determine which works the best for you.
7. Review the tasks you need to complete for the day. Check your to-do list before heading out the door or checking your email. On the commute to work, mentally review those tasks and consider the most effective next step to get the task accomplished.
8. Listen to something that makes you feel good. The last 10 minutes of your commute, or before login to work, listen to something that inspires and energizes you. We all have a song that makes us feel like we can take on the world. Play to get your day started well.
Most of this morning routine doesn’t add much time at all to your day. Within 20 minutes, you can enhance your morning and the rest of your day. Consider other ways to upgrade your current morning activities. Getting off to a good start is the best way to enjoy a great day.
To help you to create your 20-minute energizing morning routine, I have a free guide for you: Rise and Prime: Transform Your Day with this Science-Backed Morning Routine. Get the guide and start designing a morning routine that gets you energized! And if you like getting free useful resources for your health and wellness, take a look at my Resources page.